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Make Planning Make Sense

Centro Planning Consultancy

This podcast is for anyone trying to build, fund, design, approve, or understand development in the UK. Your host, Aaron Zimmerman MA MSc MRTPI, is having honest conversations with other leaders from across the built environment sector to Make Planning Make Sense. Follow for new episodes fortnightly on Thursdays!

Make Planning Make Sense is presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England. https://centroplan.co.uk/

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29 episodes
Avg 49 min
English

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S2 · E22
Thursday · 48 min
S02 E22 Confidence, comms, and competence (feat. Leanne Tritton & Jay Allan of the London Society)
Our guests this week are Leanne Tritton & Jay Allan of the London Society. Forget your typical neighbourhood objection factory, and keep your pearls untucked. Leanne and Jay articulate their vision for a public conversation that empowers the change we need now in order for tomorrow to be better than today. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, at Centro, we’re ultimately here for you. The next time you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. https://centroplan.co.uk/ Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E21
October 29 · 19 min
S02 E21 Dear Deputy Mayor,
This is a legacy-defining moment. The Mayor can still be the very first to deliver a London Plan that enables its own minimum housing requirement. All tea, no shade. In this episode, in Season 02 Episode 18, and in our written representations, we've already done the heavy lifting. It is literally our day job to know the practical application of the Plan inside and out. It's been our personal mission to realise a Plan that, when applied, works as intended. We're here and ready to make this happen with you. aaron@centroplan.co.uk Time for a win-win-win-win-win-win-win. (The seven wins are for Londoners, London, Mayor Khan, Deputy Mayor Pipe, Housing Minister Pennycook, all subsequent development plans, and yours truly. In that order.) If you like today’s episode, share it and follow the show. And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E20
October 15 · 33 min
S02 E20 Deliver us (feat. Sangeeta Shenoy)
Our guest for this episode is Sangeeta Shenoy, Director at Veretec. Sangeeta is an architect who specialises in delivery, which means she brings a fresh perspective on the key challenges facing both the planning system and the built environment sector as a whole. We discuss: Planning’s powerful influence on viability Trust in the sector And what we can do to Make Planning Make Sense If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E19
October 1 · 56 min
S02 E19 Spatial development strategies, subsidiarity, and solutions (feat. Catriona Riddell)
Our guest for this episode is the one and only Catriona Riddell. Catriona explains the forthcoming Spatial Development Strategies, including how they will benefit applicants. We do a bit of punditry about what the Burnham government will be like for the sector. And we have a lovely bonding experience over our mutual exasperation with the draft London Plan. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E18
September 17 · 1 hr 5 min
S02 E18 Reviving the DOA draft London Plan
I'm not mad, I'm disappointed. The draft London Plan is DOA. We can revive it if the Plan becomes outcome-orientated, takes leadership where needed, and becomes aware of time and sector capacity as key constraints. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
September 10 · 1 hr 3 min
Beach house library: S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell)
Over the summer holidays, we're sharing select episodes from our archive that are worth another listen during the draft London Plan consultation period. We'll be back on 17 September with our full analysis. Special thanks to Will Powell for this great conversation. Our summer favs: S01 E05 Less than substantial charm (Part 1) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E06 Less than substantial charm (Part 2) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E09 This is not viable (feat. Richard Ashdown) S01 E10 Daylight/sunlight/gaslight (feat. Neil Cawood) S01 E12 The SMEs are not alright (feat. Paul Higgs) S01 E13 Small and medium enterprises, big picture energy (feat. Alex Uregian) S01 E16 Something's gotta give (feat. Paul Willis) S01 E24 Agent, operative, principal, spy (feat. Dr Nancy Holman and Dr Alan Mace) S02 E05 Carbon impact, in fact (feat. James Mickelburgh) S02 E08 Forgiving ourselves the guilt of imperfection (feat. Marko Salopek) S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell) Check out these episodes wherever you listen, and see you again on 17 September! If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
September 3 · 1 hr 1 min
Beach house library: S02 E08 Forgiving ourselves the guilt of imperfection (feat. Marko Salopek)
Over the summer holidays, we're sharing select episodes from our archive that are worth another listen during the draft London Plan consultation period. We'll be back on 17 September with our full analysis. Special thanks to Marko Salopek for this great conversation. Our summer favs: S01 E05 Less than substantial charm (Part 1) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E06 Less than substantial charm (Part 2) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E09 This is not viable (feat. Richard Ashdown) S01 E10 Daylight/sunlight/gaslight (feat. Neil Cawood) S01 E12 The SMEs are not alright (feat. Paul Higgs) S01 E13 Small and medium enterprises, big picture energy (feat. Alex Uregian) S01 E16 Something's gotta give (feat. Paul Willis) S01 E24 Agent, operative, principal, spy (feat. Dr Nancy Holman and Dr Alan Mace) S02 E05 Carbon impact, in fact (feat. James Mickelburgh) S02 E08 Forgiving ourselves the guilt of imperfection (feat. Marko Salopek) S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell of Downing) Check out these episodes wherever you listen, and see you again on 17 September! If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.Our guest this week is GUEST(S). BLURB If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
August 27 · 42 min
Beach house library: S01 E16 Something's gotta give (feat. Paul Willis)
Over the summer holidays, we're sharing select episodes from our archive that are worth another listen during the draft London Plan consultation period. We'll be back on 17 September with our full analysis. Special thanks to Paul Willis for this great conversation. Our summer favs: S01 E05 Less than substantial charm (Part 1) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E06 Less than substantial charm (Part 2) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E09 This is not viable (feat. Richard Ashdown) S01 E10 Daylight/sunlight/gaslight (feat. Neil Cawood) S01 E12 The SMEs are not alright (feat. Paul Higgs) S01 E13 Small and medium enterprises, big picture energy (feat. Alex Uregian) S01 E16 Something's gotta give (feat. Paul Willis) S01 E24 Agent, operative, principal, spy (feat. Dr Nancy Holman and Dr Alan Mace) S02 E05 Carbon impact, in fact (feat. James Mickelburgh) S02 E08 Forgiving ourselves the guilt of imperfection (feat. Marko Salopek) S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell of Downing) Check out these episodes wherever you listen, and see you again on 17 September! If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
August 20 · 43 min
Beach house library: S01 E12 The SMEs are not alright (feat. Paul Higgs)
Over the summer holidays, we're sharing select episodes from our archive that are worth another listen during the draft London Plan consultation period. We'll be back on 17 September with our full analysis. Special thanks to Paul Higgs for this great conversation. Our summer favs: S01 E05 Less than substantial charm (Part 1) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E06 Less than substantial charm (Part 2) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E09 This is not viable (feat. Richard Ashdown) S01 E10 Daylight/sunlight/gaslight (feat. Neil Cawood) S01 E12 The SMEs are not alright (feat. Paul Higgs) S01 E13 Small and medium enterprises, big picture energy (feat. Alex Uregian) S01 E16 Something's gotta give (feat. Paul Willis) S01 E24 Agent, operative, principal, spy (feat. Dr Nancy Holman and Dr Alan Mace) S02 E05 Carbon impact, in fact (feat. James Mickelburgh) S02 E08 Forgiving ourselves the guilt of imperfection (feat. Marko Salopek) S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell) Check out these episodes wherever you listen, and see you again on 17 September! If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
August 13 · 45 min
Beach house library: S01 E10 Daylight/sunlight/gaslight (feat. Neil Cawood)
Over the summer holidays, we're sharing select episodes from our archive that are worth another listen during the draft London Plan consultation period. We'll be back on 17 September with our full analysis. Special thanks to Neil Cawood for this great conversation. Full summer reading list: S01 E05 Less than substantial charm (Part 1) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E06 Less than substantial charm (Part 2) (feat. Laurie Handcock) S01 E09 This is not viable (feat. Richard Ashdown) S01 E10 Daylight/sunlight/gaslight (feat. Neil Cawood) S01 E12 The SMEs are not alright (feat. Paul Higgs) S01 E13 Small and medium enterprises, big picture energy (feat. Alex Uregian) S01 E16 Something's gotta give (feat. Paul Willis) S01 E24 Agent, operative, principal, spy (feat. Dr Nancy Holman and Dr Nancy Holman) S02 E05 Carbon impact, in fact (feat. James Mickelburgh) S02 E08 Forgiving ourselves the guilt of imperfection (feat. Marko Salopek) S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell of Downing) Check out these episodes wherever you listen, and see you again on 17 September! If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E17
August 6 · 1 hr 2 min
S02 E17 We can do better, today (feat. Darren Rodwell)
Our guest for this episode is Darren Rodwell, a man who needs no introduction, who you’ll recognise as the former leader of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council. Darren has a new book called ‘Building Communities One Brick and One Heart at a Time’, which is out now. I was most interested to talk with Darren about creating momentum in a planning system that is structurally indifferent to its outcome and how Darren was able to change the future for Londonders in his borough by building community support and forward momentum for the ambitious regeneration of Barking. The conversation again begs the question of whether we should have a planning system that is otherwise content to be as inert as dry clay. But more to the point, in the system that we do have, Darren shows how leadership, vision, and an incredible amount of effort can still get good things done. We’ll be back in September with our analysis of the draft London Plan and the changes it will need if it is going to succeed in its most urgent priority: delivering for Londoners. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E16
July 23 · 48 min
S02 E16 Boundaries aren't just for site plans: Emotional intelligence in our sector (feat. Jay Marway of Pulse Consult)
We've been longlisted in the Business category for the 2026 British Podcast Awards! We set off a year ago without one ounce of media experience to create a bit of content about why our work matters, the fact that we’re damn good at it, and how the sector can do better for the people of the UK. Being longlisted for a British Podcast Award is both humbling and affirming for a show we’re really proud to put out there for you. Thank you to our amazing team, guests, and listeners. Our guest for this episode is Jay Marway MRICS PMP, Project Manager at Pulse Consult. Jay joins us to discuss the brilliant and important topic of emotional intelligence in our sector. The conversation gives a nod to the surface level traits of politeness and temperament, and then opens up into the rich concepts of awareness, perception, trust, and boundaries. I hope you find the conversation timely, relatable, and relevant, but, of course, it is not health advice. Jay and I are practitioners in the built environment sector, not the healthcare sector. I would warmly encourage anyone seeking advice on these issues to speak with a medical professional. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
July 16 · 38 min
BONUS! One year on: behind the mic (feat. Centro's own Mariam Malakzi)
Make Planning Make Sense is turning 1! Thank you, guests, listeners and team!!! 365 days, 44 expert voices, 40 episodes, 1 nod from the British Podcast Awards, and 1 community of passionate professionals - We are absolutely stunned by the warm welcome you've given to this project. As a way of saying THANK YOU to our amazing guests, listeners and team, Aaron and Mariam are taking you behind the scenes to learn the why, the how, and the metrics of this bonkers journey. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E15
July 9 · 1 hr 3 min
S02 E15 Fix the exit, fix the entry (feat. Will Powell of Downing)
Our guest today is Will Powell, Investment Director at Downing. With incredible clarity, Will sets out the private sector’s needs with the aim of restarting housing delivery. We cover: How to catalyse home sales De-cluttering decision taking Having the right people in your team Reviving a culture of partnership And more. Be sure to check out the podcast that Will hosts: Downing Funding Foundations (especially Episode 02). If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E14
June 25 · 1 hr 21 min
S02 E14 That was gendered... (feat. Charlotte Morphet and Marina Milosev)
Our guests for this episode are Charlotte Morphet, Programme Leader for Urban Planning at the University of the Built Environment and Marina Milosev, co-founder of Beyond the Red Line and, recently, Urban Planning Expert at the United Nations. We're also joined by Andrew Lightstone, Associate Director at Centro. If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re probably the sort who has been following the public discussion about mainstreaming sex and gender in the NPPF and planning more broadly. We dive into this topic with our sights set on the practical questions of implementation for applicants and decision takers. If you like today’s episode, share it with your fellow Planimals and please do follow the show! And remember, we’re ultimately here for you. Whenever you have a complex project that needs excellent planners on the team, please get in touch. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E13
June 11 · 52 min
S02 E13 A COL to Action: When LBC is OTT (feat. Helen Walker of Bowman Riley)
Our guest this week is Helen Walker, Head of Heritage and Associate at Bowman Riley. Helen lets us in on a pleasant little heritage hack that can spare folks a bit of time, expense, and grief. Along the way, we touch on the perils of the "only Grade II" mindset and the risk of losing the living knowledge of the building crafts. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E12
May 28 · 47 min
S02 E12 Live from the London Centre - Everything but the nettle (feat. Centro's own Tarun Cheema)
Live from the London Centre: Tarun Cheema MRTPI and Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI present the latest on planning reform...and how the devil is always in the details. We give a TLDR run-through of: The draft NPPF The Mayor’s kickstart measures and new call-in powers The PIA including the National Scheme of Delegation How these reforms will play out for developers and decision making Special thanks to New London Architecture for hosting this live event and to Women in Property South East for co-sponsoring the event with Centro Planning Consultancy. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E11
May 14 · 48 min
S02 E11 REiiF WEEK (feat. Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiiF)
Our guest this week is Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiiF. REiiF Week is upon us, and in tingling anticipation of UKREiiF , which runs 19th to the 21st of May, Nathan talks about who’s lined up to anchor the event this year and what the event means for Leeds. We also get into B2B business development in the built environment sector, the challenges the sector faces in communicating its priorities and sheer importance to the public, and the lost opportunity own goals created by the planning system. Just to say, Centro’s own Managing Director, Luke Raistrick, and Director of Operations and Partnerships, Reece Raymond, will be at UKREiiF. Reach out to Reece if there’s an opportunity to connect in Leeds: Reece@centroplan.co.uk Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E10
April 30 · 52 min
S02 E10 Election Dissection (feat. Joanna Christophides of Cratus Group)
Our guest this week is Joanna Christophides, Director at Cratus Group. We’re just one week out from the local elections, and there’s been a lot of chatter about more seats going to candidates outside the traditional blue, red and yellow parties. Our conversation covers what appears likely to change for the built environment sector and what will still hold true after votes are counted. We also discuss communication more broadly – between developers teams’ and the public, between developers and councillors, and between councillors and constituents. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.
S2 · E9
April 16 · 43 min
S02 E09 Development & business development (feat. Adam Green and Emily Wilson of Ninety Four Group)
Our guests this week are Founding Director Adam Green and Director of Partnerships Emily Wilson of Ninety Four Group. Adam and Emily share insights about a sector that’s just as much P2P as it is B2B. How do we grow our businesses? How do relatively young companies navigate the public sector procurement process? What makes a company one of the firms that comes to mind when it’s time to tender? We cover it all, as well as the delicate topic of karaoke. Be sure to follow for new episodes fortnightly. Make Planning Make Sense is hosted by Aaron Zimmerman MRTPI, presented by Centro Planning Consultancy and recorded in beautiful London, England.

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